What does Revelation 11:2 mean?

First Thessalonians 5:3 implies that there will be peace, of some notable kind, at the time of the rapture. Revelation 6:4 suggests that the rider on a red horse takes peace from the earth. The prior verse mentions a temple, and this verse suggests its outer court is occupied by "the nations." This phrase—"the nations"—is used in reference to the Gentiles, or the non-Jewish peoples of the world. Therefore, this temple is an earthly structure, most likely built during this phase of peace early in the end-times sequence.

Resumption of sacrifices at the temple will continue during the first half of the period called Daniel's 70th week. However, in the middle of the tribulation, the head of the Revived Roman Empire, the first beast of Revelation 13, will stop the sacrifices (Daniel 9:27). Because the temple's outer court and Jerusalem will be under Gentile control for forty-two months, the second half of the tribulation, John was commanded not to measure it.

According to common interpretation, this seems to be the expected sequence of events: At the commencement of the seven-year tribulation, Daniel's 70th week, Israel will form a military alliance with the Revived Roman Empire and receive assurance that the Empire will provide protection against aggression from the North—most likely Russia. However, in the middle of the tribulation, the first beast (Revelation 13:1), the head of the Revived Roman Empire, will break the treaty. Then, the false prophet in Israel will regain that protection by placing a statue of the first beast in the holy of holies, thereby reintroducing idolatry to Israel.